The Standard — Restaurant in Tuscaloosa

I recently visited The Standard, a pizza restaurant and bar located at 1217 University Blvd on The Strip in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and here’s my take on the experience.

Atmosphere (3/5): The Standard has a lively, casual vibe that’s clearly geared toward University of Alabama students and sports fans. Its prime location in the heart of The Strip makes it a convenient spot for grabbing a bite before or after a game. The interior is cozy with a sports-bar feel, featuring TVs for game days and a relaxed, come-as-you-are setting. However, the atmosphere can feel a bit chaotic, especially during peak hours, and some reviews mention it leans heavily into the “college scene,” which might not appeal to everyone. Outdoor seating and dog-friendly policies are a nice touch for those wanting a more laid-back experience.

Food (3.5/5): The menu focuses on New York and New Jersey-style pizza, available by the slice or whole pie, alongside wings, hand-cut boardwalk fries, and perogies—a nod to Northeastern comfort food. I tried a pepperoni slice and found the crust crispy with a decent chew, though the sauce was a bit understated for my taste. The pizza is solid but not exceptional, especially compared to other local spots like TuscNY. The wings were a highlight, with a good balance of crispiness and sauce. However, some menu items, like the small mimosas served in plastic cups, felt overpriced at $7, as noted in online feedback. The perogies were a unique offering and a hit with out-of-state students craving a taste of home. Overall, the food is reliable for a quick, casual meal, but it doesn’t stand out as a culinary destination.

Service (2.5/5): Service was a mixed bag. The staff was friendly and welcoming, but there were noticeable hiccups. My order took longer than expected, and other patrons have echoed similar sentiments, with some describing staff as unenthusiastic or even rude (specific complaints mentioned employees named Greg and Hunter). The restaurant’s response to criticism, like addressing pricing concerns on Restaurant Guru, shows they’re listening, but execution during busy times seems inconsistent. Happy hour specials (e.g., $3 mimosas and drafts from 4-7 PM) are a nice perk, but you might need to double-check your order.

Value (3/5): The Standard markets itself as a budget-friendly spot for students, with a price range typically under $10 per person. However, recent price increases have drawn criticism, with some feeling it’s become a “tourist trap” on The Strip. The happy hour deals help, but the overall value proposition feels average when compared to higher-end restaurants in Tuscaloosa that offer better quality for similar prices. Takeout and delivery options via DoorDash and Toast are convenient, especially with the late-night walk-up window for slices.

Overall (3/5): The Standard is a decent choice if you’re looking for a no-frills pizza joint with a lively college vibe, especially if you’re on The Strip and craving a quick slice or wings. It’s great for game days or casual hangouts with friends, but the inconsistent service and average food quality keep it from being a standout. For students or visitors wanting a taste of Northeastern-style comfort food, it’s worth a try—just don’t expect a five-star experience. If you’re after top-tier pizza or a more refined dining experience, you might want to explore other Tuscaloosa options like DePalma’s or Sugo.

Sources: Restaurant Guru reviews, Tripadvisor, Yelp (2.1 stars), Tuscaloosa Thread, and posts on X mentioning the restaurant’s pizza and bar offerings.

Note: I couldn’t find information confirming the menu items like braised short ribs or seared scallops mentioned in one X post, so I focused on the verified pizza and bar offerings. If you’d like me to dig deeper into specific dishes or aspects, let me...

Family of 5 but we dined with a much larger party. One of our party had called ahead and the restaurant had a table ready for us with everything we would need- including pitchers of water, cups/ straws, and silverware on the table.

My family ordered a 20” pepperoni pizza which is huge. I would recommend asking them to cut it smaller slices because the slices are giant! The pizza was super greasy- no big deal. The top was nice and crisp but the bottom was soggy. That made it only mediocre in my opinion. We ordered mild bone-in wings which were great. We ordered cheese fries which were also great! We also had an order or garlic knots which were only ok.

The service, especially for a large group of 20 people, was great! The food came out pretty quickly.

I’m not sure that we would go again, mostly because we live out of town and secondly the main food served (pizza) was only ok. I’ve seen other reviews with the bottom of the pizza crisped so maybe it was them rushing to get out large order out.

Prices for food are decent. We only had water but the price for bottled soda was $4 which I think is...

Although a place seemingly just for UA undergraduates, the Standard was somewhere I went every so often to have a cheap drink and a decent (but overpriced) pizza. Unfortunately, the prices have been raised to a point where it is no longer worth frequenting. For example: mimosas (which used to cost $3) are now priced at $7. Keep in mind, these are small mimosas in plastic cups. Overall, it seems to be a Strip "tourist trap," but the students will surely keep the place afloat. Reply for the owner: I appreciate your response; I just have to disagree. Up until my most recent visit yesterday, mimosas were $3 at all times (again, this is just an example). I am not a "student who is budgeting their money." I frequent many Tuscaloosa restaurants for various reasons and Standard was my go-to "cheap" pizza spot. Now that the prices are the same as other "higher-end" restaurants, I will more so go to those with higher quality food and real glassware, silverware,...